Purpose: Reporting to the Performance Improvement Lead and working in close collaboration with the teams in the field, the Community Initiative Lead (CIL) will provide technical leadership and oversight to the community initiatives within SESIL’s programme.
The overall aim of the CIL role is to ensure that this innovative programme delivers the intended outcome of improved learning outcomes by harnessing community support to children’s learning and safety. This is full-time position based in Kampala with at least 50% travel to field to oversee the implementation of the community-led learning and engagement initiatives.
Through the community-led learning (CLL) initiative, SESIL expects to achieve the following:

• Improved levels of literacy and numeracy of children attending CLL lessons

Through the CLL-focused radio programmes, SESIL expects to achieve the following:

• Improved levels of literacy and numeracy of children listening to the lessons
• Improved learning progress for children attending CLL lessons.

Through the community engagement initiative, SESIL expects to achieve the following:

• Improved learning progress for children attending CLL lessons.
• Regular positive parent/community engagement in children’s learning.
• Children feeling safe in and around the CLL learning centres.

Major responsibilities:

• Provide oversight and technical guidance to the team to implement the community initiatives and planned actions, centred on principles of participation and empowerment, accountability, inclusivity, safety and dignity of CLL communities.
• Drive the development, implementation, and monitoring of the community initiatives, in all SESIL Local Governments/CLL communities, adapting as necessary to achieve impact.
• Compile regular reports on community initiative implementation based on the SESIL results and learning framework.
• Coordinate with education stakeholders and communities to develop strategies to engage communities and key partners and stakeholders in implementing community-led interventions that ensure improved learning outcomes and safety of learners in the CLL centres.
• Lead the design/review of relevant material including radio lesson scripts, and information, communication and education materials to guide the delivery of the community engagement activities. This includes learner checks/quizzes to be used by parents to monitor their children’s learning or material on children’s safety.
• Support the development and delivery of key messages, capacity development, mobilisation initiatives, and other activities to facilitate community support for SESIL activities including CLL delivery and safety of learners.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, training and support to the SESIL team on the ground team working with communities. This includes supporting SESIL field staff in building and maintaining effective relationships as part of the community engagement interventions.
• Collaborate with other SESIL staff and communities ensuring that lessons learned, or successful approaches are captured and shared, for example through stories of change and other communication.
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of community perceptions of and feedback on SESIL’s community engagement/CLL activities. This may involve meetings with the communities, local leadership, attending and actively participating in community engagement meetings.

Candidate Specification

Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Development, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Experience and proven technical knowledge and expertise in education, community/parental engagement in developing country contexts, preferably in Uganda.
• Experience in the development of education material to enable parents/ communities (both those with or without ability to read and write) to monitor the progress made by their children in their learning.
• Directly relevant experience in community mobilisation and development related to provision of quality education and or child protection services, preferably including social behavior change activities.
• Experience in developing and leading the implementation of community awareness-raising / sensitization and advocacy activities for education and child safety.
• Knowledge of local government community structures and structures for working with same.
• Understanding of the Ugandan education and child protection context.
• Ability to build effective relationships with all clients, peers, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure.
• Excellent planning, reporting and risk management skills.
• Experience of programme management.
• Good verbal communication skills, including speaking clearly and persuasively to individuals and groups; listening effectively and responding effectively.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise and manage own time for maximum efficiency.

Excellent IT skills and confidence in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint;

At Mott MacDonald/Cambridge Education we are committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and adults at risk are recruited to work for us. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a criminal records disclosure